Therian

Race: Therian (Shapeshifters)
Sentinel: Drystan Black

Lifespan: 80 years
Average height: Male [5ft 10in] Female [5ft 8in]
Average build: Lean and toned
Age Status: Cub [0-5 years] Juvenile [2-18 years] Adult [18-80 years]

Primary Forms: Level 1

• Human
• Animal

Lineage: Level 1

• Purebreed
• Halfbreed
• Mixed Breed

Genera: Level 1

• Avian
• Canine
• Feline
• Marine
• Primate
• Reptile
• Rodent
• Runner

Elite: Mythic Form
Capital: Rowan Caverns
Region: Fae Forest
Languages:

• English (Official)
• Therian (Special)

Family Structure: Dependent on genus
Spousal Relationships: Dependent on genus including marriage by the state or animal mating
Racial Enemies: Vampires
Racial Weakness: The Hind; High metabolism and constant hunger
Natural Allies: Nymphs
Patron Aide: Chenoan Cirocco

History

Many centuries ago, before the knights and crusades of England, the first Hind appeared. This ominous monster was created by a fledgling Vampire named Conor Flynn who, like many Vampires, was turned against his will at the age of 26 in a small town in Ireland.

On the night of Conor's turning, he was chased from his home when he tried to attack another villager and took shelter in a cave not too far from his town. By the time the villagers stopped searching for him, the sun had risen and he found that he couldn't leave the cave. The urge to feed grew quickly and so he proceeded further into the cavern in the hope of finding food. Lost in a ravenous bloodlust, Conor attacked the first living thing he came upon - a female wolf easily overcome as she gave birth.

The wolf had no chance to fight back and within moments she was on the brink of death. As the fury of the bloodlust drained from his body, Conor was immediately overcome by grief at what he'd done. Seeing the mother's pups lying helpless, he attempted the same thing that his own killer had done, cutting his wrist with his new fangs and feeding the blood into the wolf's mouth.

Quickly revived and overcome by bloodlust, the wolf immediately turned on Conor as she continued to birth her unborn pups, but even he was not enough to quench her thirst and overpowering hunger. Leaving her children to fend for themselves, she moved out of the cave, devouring anything she came across no matter how big or small.

The mother, becoming known as the Hind, terrorized Ireland for months before she was finally destroyed. Her pups, raised by one of the villagers who stumbled across the cave still searching for Conor, slowly grew up to display intelligence and traits never before seen in wolves. It was not for several generations, however, that Conor's true legacy became known as the Bloodlust Virus spread throughout the animal kingdom causing mutation after mutation. All across Europe and further, animals were developing the ability to change their form between human and any beast of the same genus. Driven by prejudice and fear, these 'shapeshifters' quickly found each other and formed packs or flocks, standing together against the humans who shunned them.

To this day, many shapeshifters cling to tradition and segregate themselves from other Elysian races even though prejudices of old have faded among Elysians and the humans on Earth no longer believe they exist. Many still live in the wild, either alone on ranges they protect fiercely or in clusters. Some choose to live in urban areas for a time, especially in their youth, but most return to the wild sooner or later.

Primary Forms

Therians are a varied group right from birth with genetics that depend on their parentage and which of their forms (human or animal) is the dominant one. With hundreds of possible genetic combinations it can be difficult to understand how they develop during childhood and even children of the same parents can find themselves differing from one another.

The first thing to understand about them is that they have a primary form upon which all else is based. This primary form determines which half of their lineage will be dominant - that of their human or their animal ancestors.

Human Therians

Human-dominant shapeshifters will spend the majority of their lives in their human form. It is the most natural to them and the least tiring. Further, they'll be born in human shape and will grow up as a human might, only gaining the ability to the morph during adolescence. Changing into their animal form is tiring and they can only maintain that shape for a short time. They are more comfortable among humanoids and generally think and act like humans though their instincts, reflexes and senses are sharpened by their animal DNA.

Animal Therians

Animal-dominant Therians, on the other hand, will be born in their animal form and will only gain the ability to morph into their human form during adolescence (which normally comes more quickly for them than their human counterparts). They have the higher sensibilities of humans but still think and act much like animals, preferring the company of other animals over that of humanoids. Morphing into their human form is taxing and can only be maintained for short periods of time.

Lineage

Lineage is an important factor when considering a Therian's capabilities and potential forms. Whether a Therian is a purebreed, half-breed or mixed breed will determine how many genera they can access in terms of the animal forms that will become available to them. A purebred tiger will be a tiger herself and will only gain forms from the feline genus, for instance, while a wolf-tiger mixed breed could be either wolf or tiger and gain forms from both canine and feline genera.

Purebreeds

Purebreds are Shapeshifters born to two parents of the exact same form (eg. two tigers resulting in a tiger child). The child's main animal form (the one they were born with or the first they gain during adolescence) will be that of the parents and the following forms they gain will be from the same family (eg. a tiger Therian might gain any form from the feline genus).

Half-breeds

Half-breed Therians are born to two parents of the same genus but who have different forms (eg. a tiger and a lion). The child may be either of the parents' forms (eg. a tiger or a lion) and could learn any form from within the parents' genus.

Mixed Breeds

Mixed bred Therians are born to two parents from entirely different genera (eg. a horse and a ferret from the runner and rodent genera). The child could be either of the parent's forms and may grow up to gain forms from both parents' genera. This class of shapeshifter is most common, especially among humanoid Therians, and provides for a more varied collection of forms but there are those who have developed a prejudice against mixed breeds.

It should be noted that all children will be born in the form of at least one parent despite all the potential variations. A horse-ferret couple cannot produce a lion, for instance, nor could they produce a rabbit even though rabbits and ferrets are within the same rodent genus.

Genera

When they first gain the ability to morph during adolescence, Therians are too inexperienced to assume the adult versions of their forms. In many cases, they won't be able to assume this shape until they are much older (eg. tigers cannot assume their adult tiger form until level 8!). In the meantime, however, they can build up from the smaller and less dangerous forms into the larger predators within their genus.

A horse Therian is a part of the Runner genus. This means they could try to learn the form of any animal within the Runner genus, including but not limited to buffalo, zebra and even reindeer. They could not, however, learn the form of a feline like a lion (unless of course they're a half- or mixed-bred Therian whose second genus is feline).

Normally, Therians can learn up to five animal forms not including their human form. The possibilities within a genus are almost limitless and it is no surprise that the shapeshifters are the most varied of Elysia's inhabitants.

Avian

From the lone albatross to the flocking flamingo, the predatory bald eagle to the defenceless bluetit and even the bat, Avians have the classic traits of the form they were born to. Not all avian forms have wings but most Avian shapeshifters are migratory and tend to live in densely populated areas. Known for their superb hearing and sight as well as their great agility and speed, Avians navigate by sensing electromagnetic fields, a skill that makes them brilliant navigators and guides.

Canine

Canine shapeshifters are known for their immense speed and strength and their superb sense of hearing and smell. Ranging from the smallest of domestic dogs to the most vicious wolf - and even including bats and bears! - the canine genus is one of the most fearsome in the Therian family. Pack animals, Canines tend to live in large groups in urban areas. They're also opportunistic like scavengers and are most comfortable in clearly defined hierarchies when they know who's in charge and what their position is in the group.

Feline

Known for their incredible speed and agility, Feline shapeshifters also come with a hearty dose of stealth and superb sight and night vision. The cat family is a mixed one, ranging from the lone tiger to the proud lion, so traits ultimately depend on the form. Some prefer to live in urban areas where there are lots of people while others prefer to live alone on a large territory.

Marine

The ability to breathe under water is perhaps the most well-known marine ability but the genus also comes with increased agility as well as superb sight and hearing. Marine shapeshifters navigate by sonar which can be quite painful for youngsters in loud areas but this ability is a useful one when they mature. Mariners will inherit the traits of their form which will ultimately determine their preferences, such as where they live and how.

Primates

Primates are highly social animals and will always try to find a way to live with lots of others of their kind or like them. They are perhaps the most hygienic of the Therian genera and range from the chimpanzee and the spider monkey to the gorilla. Known for their superior speed, strength and hearing, primates also inherit great agility and even in human form find it easier to navigate through trees and brush than a non-Therianwould.

Reptile

Reptilian shapeshifters are cold-blooded in their animal form and as such generally prefer hot climates, tending to live alone in desert or jungle areas. Known for their superb sight and strength and their supreme stealth and speed, they include the serpent, amphibian and lizard families. They don't often venture into urban areas as their territorial and predatory instincts can prove dangerous.

Rodent

From the tiniest mouse to the massive cappybara, Rodent shapeshifters are known for their astounding stealth and speed coupled with great hearing and vision. The most underestimated of the Therian genera, rodents are highly social animals much like primates, tending to live in highly populated urban areas where food and companionship is plentiful.

Runner

Runners include anything with hooves as well as other herd animals such as horses and elephants. Best known for their incredible speed and strength, this genus can also claim great stealth and superb hearing. Most comfortable in large groups, Runners prefer a designated hierarchy. They tend to gravitate toward others of their genus and avoid predatory shapeshifters at all costs.

Mythic Form

At a certain point in the Therian's life (OOC: elite), they will have the opportunity to prove themselves to the Sentinel. If they succeed, they will be taught how to hold the form of a creature that does not physically exist in Elysia - a mythic form of their own design - and with that form will also be taught three new abilities to match it.

Along with this mythic creature, elite Therians will be allowed to take two more animal forms from any of the genera, making them stronger, faster and more versatile than any other Therian. The strongest and wisest of their race, Mythic 'shifters patrol the forest ensuring the safety of their people. Despite this supreme power and the great responsibility bestowed upon them, the Mythic shapeshifter is not allowed to challenge for the Sentinel's position nor can they hold any political position at all.